The Duchess of Cornwall visited cider-makers on a Duchy of Cornwall farm during her annual trip to Devon and Cornwall in July 2014. Westnorth Manor Farm in Duloe, Liskeard, is home to Cornish Orchards, a drinks manufacturer which sells its cider, pressed juices and soft drinks to customers across the UK and around the world.
The Duchess was greeted on arrival by Andy Atkinson, a former dairy farmer and the Founder and Managing Director of Cornish Orchards. Andy guided Her Royal Highness around the site, following the progression of the apples from delivery, through pressing, blending and finally to bottling.
The Duchess of Cornwall samples Cornish Gold
Cider-makers Chris Newton and Adam Keen provided samples of raw bittersweet cider alongside the finished product of Cornish Gold.
"I was very proud to show The Duchess of Cornwall our cider making facilities, and that she tasted our ciders, describing them as 'delicious'", commented Adam Keen, Assistant Cider Maker.
At the end of the tour, Her Royal Highness unveiled a commemorative plaque to decorate the new Cider Cellar Building and was presented with a hamper of Cornish Orchards ciders, soft drinks and preserves among other local Cornish products.
Andy Atkinson said: "The staff at Cornish Orchards have pulled together to provide The Duchess of Cornwall with a memorable tour of the site. It has been truly delightful to host Her Royal Highness, and for her to unveil a plaque commemorating the opening of our new cider cellar, which will be ready for the coming apple harvest."
Westnorth Manor Farm is part of the Duchy of Cornwall Estate. Andy Atkinson, Managing Director of Cornish Orchards, began his career as a dairy farmer and made cider as a hobby. However he became increasingly intrigued by the possibility of producing cider in larger quantities and in 1999 he set up Cornish Orchards. Since then, the company has continued to grow and now has 30 members of staff.
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